Chapter 197: Cloud Empire (18)

While the duchess called a servant to prepare the tea, a small drama unfolded in the adjacent corridor.

Xue Yin, tugging at her mother’s sleeve, whispered, her face a mask of embarrassment and faint excitement.

“Mother… that handsome boy. Kyrian. I… I want him. I think I fell in love.” Her cheeks were red like pomegranates.

The duchess looked at her daughter’s expression, a mixture of exasperation and tenderness in her eyes.

She sighed, a light, understanding sound, as she gently patted Xue Yin’s head.

“Haha. So that’s why you brought them home. All right, my little fool. I’ll help you as I can… but when the time is right.”

“You still need to grow a lot and become strong before thinking about such things.”

“I know, mother…” Xue Yin murmured, her dreamy gaze turning back to the door of the sitting room, where Kyrian was seated, holding the symbol of her family, completely oblivious to the adolescent heart that had begun to beat faster because of him.

After a short while.

The tea was served by the duchess, it was a gentle and aromatic infusion of flowers cultivated in the ever-clouded mountains themselves.

The atmosphere on the wide sofa was relaxed, dominated by Xue Yin’s presence. She, under the tolerant and affectionate gaze of her mother, bombarded Mei Li with questions about the Blood Court, about travels, about everything, except the subject that truly interested her.

That subject she contemplated only with stolen glances and rosy cheeks in Kyrian’s direction.

Kyrian participated with only one or two words or nods when directly questioned.

His attention was more focused on the duchess, who seemed intent on extracting more information from him. Kyrian perceived the connection, the family dynamic that Xue Yin had with her mother.

And inwardly he wondered what it would be like if his mother were alive. The thought came but was soon pushed to the back of his mind. For that was something that could no longer happen.

The duchess was a graceful and perceptive hostess, guiding the conversation skillfully, extracting non-invasive information about their stays in the city, always with a warm smile.

It was courtesy of the highest level, but Kyrian detected no falseness in her, only impeccable manners and genuine gratitude for her daughter’s well-being.

After the tea, the duchess, noticing Xue Yin’s interest in showing her home, suggested a walk through the gardens.

The walk through the grounds of Rong Manor was a silent lesson on the stable and deeply rooted power of the empire.

Geometric gardens with high-level spiritual plants and herbs were everywhere.

In addition to training and meditation pavilions with almost imperceptible Qi-concentration formations, there was a large lake where crystal-scaled fish swam in hypnotic patterns.

Everything exuded wealth.

Xue Yin skipped along beside Mei Li, pointing out her favorite things, but her attention always drifted backward to where Kyrian walked with calm steps, observing the place.

When the sun began to tilt, painting the eternal clouds in shades of amber, Kyrian felt it was time to leave.

The duchess, accompanying them to the great main gate, placed a light hand on Kyrian’s shoulder at the moment of farewell.

Her gaze was serious and direct, different from her earlier maternal tone.

“Young Kyrian,” she said, her voice low but clear.

“While you are in the capital, if you encounter any obstacle that your strength or your discretion cannot resolve… remember that you may call upon us. You are now a friend of my house.”

It was a powerful offer, almost like an investment.

Kyrian held her gaze for a second, then inclined his head in a respectful gesture.

“I am grateful.”

He did not promise to use the help, nor did he ask for details. He simply accepted the line that was being cast.

The walk back to the Crimson Lotus Residence was made in contemplative silence, broken only by the distant murmur of the city preparing for the night.

It was Mei Li who broke the quiet.

“What did you think? Of the Duke’s family?”

Kyrian looked ahead, his crimson eyes reflecting the first lights of the lanterns being lit.

“I don’t know the exact reason,” he began, his voice measured.

“Whether it was because of Xue Yin, some memory of Dong Zhen, or because they saw something that interested them. But they seemed genuine. I didn’t sense any immediate ill intent.”

Mei Li nodded, walking beside him.

“I agree. It’s really a very good thing in my view. They are a powerful piece in the Empire. Having a connection with them, even without knowing why it opened, is an advantage in the capital. It’s good.”

Kyrian did not reply. But he thought the same.

He touched the cold, heavy symbol in the pocket of his simple robe and stored it in his ring.

Upon entering the residence, they found the other four already gathered in the main hall.

The air smelled of street food and city dust. Yan Ling was organizing notes in a small diary. Kai meticulously cleaned the blade of a short dagger. Li Fen was, as always, standing like a shadow in a corner.

Bai Zhu, for his part, seemed agitated.

Mei Li smiled at the group.

“So then? How was the exploration?”

Yan Ling raised his eyes.

“The materials markets are well supplied, you can find everything, but prices are inflated because of the auction.”

“I went to the main auction house, it’s impressive, the security is intense.”

Kai merely grunted.

“There are many eyes, many people. The fifth district is quieter.”

Li Fen said nothing.

Bai Zhu could no longer contain himself.

“I met quite a lot of people!” he announced, with a broad smile on his face.

“The son of the Marquis of… of something of the Clouds! A guy named Tao. We’re at the same cultivation level! We drank talked about strength techniques… he’s cool.”

Kyrian listened to the information with only half an ear. He gave the group a brief nod.

Without further delay, he turned and went up the stairs toward his room, leaving the others to exchange their stories of the day.

Sleep came quickly and without dreams, an efficient shutdown that knew the importance of rest.

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